Keir Starmer is considering granting a bank holiday to England fans if the Three Lions achieve World Cup success. The Prime Minister hinted at this possibility during the Nato summit, expressing willingness to provide a day off if Thomas Tuchel’s team breaks a 60-year drought.
When asked about a potential bank holiday if England emerges victorious, Starmer cautiously responded that he would revisit the topic if the team reaches the final. Downing Street is reportedly exploring the idea, although specifics are still being finalized. The holiday, if approved, is likely to be scheduled for the Friday following the World Cup final, rather than automatically falling on the Monday after the event.
The proposal could coincide with a celebratory parade for the England squad, who may not return to the UK until Monday post-final. In a similar move, the Scottish Government recently sanctioned a bank holiday following Scotland’s first World Cup match in nearly three decades. Starmer previously called on the government to consider an additional holiday if the Lionesses triumphed in the 2022 Euros.
England is gearing up for a quarter-final showdown against Norway after a thrilling victory over Mexico in the round of 16. During the Nato summit, Starmer shared light-hearted banter with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere while donning their respective national team jerseys.
In a playful exchange, Starmer joked about receiving requests to appeal Jarrell Quansah’s red card, following pressure from Donald Trump to reverse a ban on US player Folarin Balogun. He praised England’s recent performance against Mexico and emphasized the upcoming clash with Norway, highlighting the friendly rivalry that will unfold on Saturday evening.
Over the weekend, Starmer intervened to maintain the original kick-off time for England’s match against Mexico, preventing potential advantages for the hosts. Additionally, he sanctioned extended pub hours until 5 am to accommodate fans watching the game.
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